Miracle Kids 2026: Paige Smith
On March 31, Paige Smith was discharged from Golisano Children’s Hospital, surrounded by proud family, friends, and the care team that had bonded with her over the past year.
She had endured a long regimen of chemotherapy—longer and more complex than is typical for a child with cancer—and GCH marked the end of her treatment with the ringing of the chemo bell. The ceremony is a tradition for all children who complete chemotherapy, but it wasn’t the only celebration ahead for the Smith family. Just weeks later, they would take a long-awaited trip to Disney World, courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
For Paige, however, the journey was about more than endurance. Throughout her treatment, she refused to miss school or withdraw socially. She encouraged other children facing similar diagnoses, and her upbeat personality left a lasting impression on the care team around her.
Meghan Anthony, nurse practitioner in the Division of Hematology/Oncology, worked closely with Paige throughout her care, and was one of those clinicians who was touched by her spirit, humor, and warmth.
“Paige is truly such a remarkable kid. I could tear up right now just saying it,” said Anthony. “She gives you perspective on your own life. People like her are exactly why I went into this career.”
A Sudden Diagnosis
Around Christmas 2024, Paige began experiencing persistent back pain.
“We’d go to the store to shop for the season, and she wouldn’t have the energy to walk around,” said her mother, Latisha Smith.
The symptoms gradually worsened. Paige often stayed in the car during errands, and her appetite declined. At first, Latisha wondered if it might be stress—Paige had lost her grandfather in the past year—or possibly a gastrointestinal issue.
When Paige was eventually referred for bloodwork, it was expected to be routine. But when Anthony reviewed the results that evening, they told a different story.
“I called and told them they needed to come into the ER right away,” she said.
“She had anemia, her hemoglobin was very low, at 8, and she had other abnormal lab findings, and when you combine that with unexplained pain, that raises significant concern,” said Jeff Andolina, MD, associate professor in the Division of Hematology/Oncology.
An MRI validated those concerns. Paige had a tumor the size of a grapefruit growing deep in her left kidney. Portions of the tumor had extended into nearby blood vessels, including the inferior vena cava—the largest vein in the body, which carries blood to the heart.
“It was a Stage IV Wilms tumor, the most common pediatric kidney cancer, though Paige was a bit older than we typically see,” said Andolina.
The news was devastating for the Smith family, but Paige quickly showed resilience. “She took it like a champ,” said Latisha.
Still, the path ahead would be complex. A biopsy, performed in GCH’s Interventional Radiology Suite, revealed that the tumor was too large to remove surgically. Paige would need three months of chemotherapy to shrink it before surgery could be attempted.
Enduring the Treatment Journey
A typical Wilms tumor treatment course lasts three to six months. Because of the complexity of Paige’s case—including pre-surgical chemotherapy, tumor resection, and additional chemotherapy and radiation—her treatment plan extended to 13 months.
“This is one of the most intensive treatment courses our team uses,” said Andolina.
Anthony worked closely with Paige during her outpatient chemotherapy, with many visits stretching into the evening. Paige’s positivity, and the family’s diligence in following the care plan, helped raise the spirits of the clinical team.
“Paige was always cracking a smile or making a joke,” said Anthony. “Seeing a patient going through the worst days of their life come in laughing; it’s incredibly uplifting. And the family never saw the glass half empty, there was always a silver lining in everything.”
In turn, Latisha credits the GCH care team with supporting both Paige and their family.
“They never made us feel like any question was ridiculous. They were with us every step of the way,” she said. “We couldn’t have done it without Meghan and Dr. Andolina. Paige sees Meghan like a godmother now.”
After three months, Paige was ready for surgery. Abdelhafeez Abdelhafeez, MD, associate professor in the Department of Surgery, performed the operation alongside Marjorie Arca, MD, chief of Pediatric Surgery. Abdelhafeez had just joined GCH from St. Jude and carried a wealth of experience performing complex surgeries on pediatric tumors.
“There was a high level of skill required due to the vessel involvement and risk of tumor spillage,” said Andolina. “Having both surgeons brought a tremendous level of expertise.”
Abdelhafeez and Arca performed a left radical nephrectomy and removed the tumor thrombus in theinferior vena cava and nearby vessels. They also performed a biopsy on Paige’s lymph nodes.
The surgery was successful, and pathology showed significant tumor necrosis, evidence that the chemotherapy had been effective.
What followed was the most demanding phase of treatment: radiation therapy, followed by a higher-intensity chemotherapy regimen. Pediatric radiation oncologist Louis Constine, MD, led radiation treatment targeting the abdomen and portions of the liver.
“Dr. Constine is very knowledgeable about delivering radiation safely and appropriately for children,” said Andolina.
The months that followed were grueling. Paige faced risks of cytopenias, dangerously low blood count, requiring transfusions and urgent evaluation for any signs of infection. Like many patients undergoing chemotherapy, she also experienced nausea and fatigue.
Her treatment schedule often meant full days in clinic, sometimes stretching to 7:30 or 8 p.m., yet Paige remained determined to maintain a sense of normalcy. She stayed in school, kept up with her academics, and continued her daily routines as much as possible.
“She didn’t want it to define her life,” said Latisha. “I told her, ‘you have to rest,’ but Paige is Paige.”
“She really didn’t give anyone another option,” added Anthony. “She insisted: ‘I’m going to school. I’m going to do normal things. I’m going to be a normal 9-year-old girl.’”
Despite the intensity of her treatment, Paige was hospitalized only twice, an outcome Anthony described as “remarkable” for a child undergoing such a prolonged regimen. Even typical side effects didn’t slow her down.
“She had an excellent appetite, I’ve rarely seen anything like it,” said Anthony.
What proved most difficult were the visible changes. “Losing her hair really affected her—it was long and beautiful,” said Latisha. “She even wore glasses to help hide the loss of her eyebrows.”
It also challenged Paige’s desire to move through treatment quietly.
“She didn’t want anyone to know what was going on outside of the family, except for one close friend,” said Latisha.
Paying it Forward
Paige’s resilience carried her through treatment, but she also recognized that not every child’s journey is the same.
Through events organized by CURE, she has connected with other children beginning treatment: offering encouragement, sharing her experiences, and staying in touch.
“She’ll reach out and tell them, ‘You can do this, I did this, too,’” said Latisha. “Whether it’s managing a PICC line or getting a port, she’s there for them.”
Today, there is no evidence of disease. Since May 2025, all scans have shown that her cancer has been successfully treated.
“We can say Paige is in complete remission,” said Andolina. “There is no detectable tumor.”
She will continue to be monitored, as all patients are, but for now, the Smith family is focused on moving forward and celebrating how far she has come. And Paige’s positive experiences with the GCH care team, and her desire to help other kids with cancer, has pointed her to a potential career path.
“It’s pushed her toward the medical field,” said Latisha. “It’s opened her eyes to what she might want to do one day.”
